Dumb-bell.



Patented July [7, I900. E. SANDOW.

DUMB BELL.

{Application med Mar. 6, 1990.!

(Ho llndel.)

Q m VEN r019 QDWLJ BY JT WWSM A TTORNE r5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ICUGEN HANDON, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

DUMB-BELL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 654,097, dated July 17, 1900.

Application filed March 5, 1900. Serial No- '7;395. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EUGEN SANDOW, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at London, England,have invented newand useful Improvements in Dumb-Bells l'or Physical-Culture Exercises, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in dumb-bells of that type wherein the handle is made elastic and compressible, so as to cause a firm grip of the hand to be required when held in the hand, which firm grip is intended to and does cause a continuous tension of the muscles of the arms, wrists, hands, and fingers when the dumbbell is used for physical-culture exercises.

The invention consists in the application of flat, curved, or spiral springs, or a combination of several springs, to the exterior portion of an ordinary dumb-bell in such position and manner that when the handle is grasped by the hand the spring or springs will be compressed,ashereinafterdescribed and claimed.

The manner in which my invention is to be performed or carried into practical effect will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following description thereof.

In the drawings, Figure l is a semisectional and side elevation of my invention as applied to an ordinary dumb-bell. Fig. 2 is an end elevation thereof, and Figs. 3 and at are similar views of a modified form.

Referring to the drawings, in which the same reference-letters relate to the same or corresponding parts in all the views, the letter l indicates a narrow steel spring having a round edge and formed so as to clip over the ends I) of the dumb-bell, a series of said springs being used and so disposed as to provide an elastic and compressible grip around the handle a of the dumb-bell. The ends of these springs are bent around each end of the dumb-bell and are retained in position by means of a grooved disk at, engaging the ends I of the springs, which are turned up so as to engage the groove in said disk, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The disk at is held The dumb bells may be constructed of wood, compressed pulp, metal, or other suitable material, and it is obvious that other forms of springs than those shown maybe used without departing from my invention.

I do not claim, broadly, the provision of a dumb-bell with a compressible handle, as that is set forth and claimed in the Patent No. 630,741, issued tome as assignee of Robinson August 8, 18%; but the constructions shown in that patent are specially-devised bodies, each in several pieces, whereas my present invention consists in the devising of a construetion of compressible handle to be applied to an ordinary solid dumb-bell.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination with a solid dumb-bell of ordinary construction, of a compressible handle consisting of a series of springs disposed around the handle and having the ends bent around the end of the dumb-bell, and a disk secured to the end of said dumb-bell and engaging the ends of the springs to hold them in place, substantially as described.

2. The combination with a solid dumb-bell of ordinary construction, of a compressible handle consisting of a series of springs disposed aronnd the handle of the dumb-bell and having the ends bent around the end of the dumbbell, a disk secured to the end of the dumb bell and engaging the ends of the springs to hold them in place, and springs interposed between the periphery of the end of the dumb-bell and the handle-springs, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EUGEN SANDOW.

\Vitnesses:

WALTER E. ROCHE, P. MARTHY. 

